The Cursed Genie

VERITY

The genie leaned forward in anticipation.

“As for power,” I said, “what would I do with it? I’m a simple girl here to conquer my own life, not the whole world.”

After I stopped talking, he just sat there, speechless and unblinking, for a whole minute.

“Hellooooo? Earth to Genie.” I waved my hand in front of his face. “Why are you acting like I’ve just said something crazy and unfathomable? It’s common sense, with a little reason and caution thrown in.”

Finally, he blinked, as if his soul had reentered his body. “You’d be surprised at how often people forget these things when they’re presented with three wishes,” he said slowly as if he was still trying to figure me out. “So… where does this leave us?” He frowned. “Are you going to string me along until you’re ready? How long will that take?”

He sounded almost sad, maybe? I couldn’t tell for sure. And he seemed conflicted with various emotions that I couldn’t read.

Something tugged at my heart, and I had a strange urge to reach out and comfort him.

“I don’t know. Why? Is there a time limit? Do I need to use up my three wishes within a certain timeframe?”

“No.”

“Then what’s the rush? It’s not like you have somewhere else to be, other than the lamp.”

His frown deepened and I immediately regretted what I said. Before I could apologize for my careless remark, his expression turned cold and indifferent.

“Fine. Summon me when you’re ready to make your wish.” He evaporated into thin air before finishing the last word.

Hm. What’s his problem? Did I hit a nerve?

After he left, I sat frozen in my seat. Something in the way he’d looked before he disappeared made my insides twist uncomfortably.

This is silly. Why should I care? He’s a genie, for goodness’s sake. It’s his job to grant wishes.

He probably doesn’t even have feelings. I couldn’t possibly have hurt him.

Yet guilt continued to gnaw at me as my stomach grumbled, reminding me to feed it.

I got up and grabbed a bowl from the cupboard and the box of cereal that was already on the counter. Annie walked into the kitchen as I poured the milk into my bowl.

“Were you talking to someone? For a second there, I thought we had company.” She reached for a similar bowl near my head.

“Nope. I was just talking to myself.” I decided I should figure this whole thing out first before I told her anything. “You’re up early today.” She was usually up three hours later than this.

“Couldn’t sleep. Why did you get another bowl of cereal when you already had one on the table?” Confusion marred her face as her gaze flickered between the bowl in my hands and the one on the dining table.

Oops. I should’ve put his bowl away.

“Oh. Did I? Sorry, my brain is not functioning right this morning.”

Her eyebrows creased as she scrutinized me. “You’ve been acting strange since I came home this morning. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Never better.” I laughed nervously and quickly walked toward the dining table. She had a nose for sniffing out liars and I was the worst one—I couldn’t lie to save my life.

I quickly tried to change the topic. “Do you want to get groceries today? Since I’m off.”

“No. Maybe tomorrow? I’m going over to Justin’s after this.”

I thought they broke up last week. “You guys made up again?”

“Yup.”

At this point, I shouldn’t even ask. They had been on and off so many times during the last few years that I had lost count.

Justin wasn’t a bad dude and Annie was a great person. But together, they made relationships look…undesirable. He didn’t seem like he was ready to commit, while she couldn’t seem to let him go.

Do I think their relationship is healthy? Nope.

Am I going to say something? Nope.

She was an adult and knew what she was getting into. No point in telling her things she already knew but couldn’t accept just yet.

“What about you?” she asked as she took the genie’s vacant chair. “Are you going on a second date with that guy, what’s-his-name, from last week?”

“Ugh. I didn’t tell you?” I shook my head in disbelief and held up my spoon for emphasis. “Honestly, I think I am done with online dating for a while. I’ve spent a whole year trying all these apps, and all the guys I’ve met have been disappointing. All they wanted was to have a good time. None of them wanted a serious relationship. And the last guy was the worst. He asked me to come back to his place for a movie after our dinner date and when I got there, he immediately got all touchy-feely. I told him I’m not comfortable with it on a first date and he instantly got defensive. He claimed I used him to get a free dinner. So I took out my phone right then and there, Venmoed him the amount, and left.”

“Ugh. What a douche. Men.” She shook her head like they were a lost cause.

“Right?” I wanted to cry.

Why is it so hard to find a good man? I just wanted someone to love who will love me back.

Is that so much to ask?

Apparently, it was.

“Yeah. I’m done going on dates for a while,” I said with conviction and finished my food.

“I don’t blame you. Relationships are hard, man,” she remarked as if referring to her own.

“But they shouldn’t be, right? If it’s with the right person?”

“They shouldn’t be, but they are.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re not making me feel any better.”

She laughed. “Well, I wasn’t trying to.”

“Bish. You sure know how to cheer a girl up.”

“I try.” She stuck her tongue out at me and I laughed. “All right, I’m gonna go get ready.”

She got up and put her empty bowl and spoon in the sink and I followed.

“Have fun!” I said to her retreating back.

“Don’t forget about tomorrow,” she reminded me before disappearing into her room.

How could I forget? It was one of the few things I looked forward to.

I went back to my room and changed into my running clothes. I pulled my shoulder-length hair into a ponytail and as I secured it with the hair tie on my wrist, my eyes landed on the genie lamp.

I sighed and walked over to my bed and sat down. Five minutes went by as I debated whether I should summon him. But he told me to only summon him when I was ready to make a wish.

Ugh. What should I do?

Decisiveness had never been one of my strengths.

Finally, I took a deep breath for courage and rubbed the lamp.

Nothing.

“Genie,” I called gently. “I need to talk to you.”

“What?” I jumped when he suddenly appeared in front of me, scaring me half to death. “Are you ready to make a wish?”

At that same moment, my hand flew to my heart. “Stop doing that! Can you please warn me next time before you do that?”

“Do what?” Amusement crinkled his eyes as he smiled at me, and my stupid heart started racing.

“You know what,” I answered with annoyance. Clearly he knew and was playing with me.

“All right.” He casually placed his hands in his pockets. “What did you want to talk about?”

I couldn’t maintain eye contact and my gaze cowardly dropped to his feet. Even his bare feet were better-looking than mine—perfectly manicured.

“I wanted to say I’m sorry for what I said earlier. I’m sure you’re eager to grant my wishes so you can move on to the next person.” Something pricked my heart as I continued. The idea that he would be gone soon made me sad, for some reason. “Give me a little time to think it over, and I’ll get out of your hair.” A solemn sigh passed through my lips. It wouldn’t be fair to hold him hostage forever.

He gracefully lowered himself onto his heels with his thighs parallel to the floor and our eyes met. “You know, no one has apologized to me in the last two thousand years. The only thing people cared about was getting their wishes granted.”

Is that how old he is? But he looks like he’s in his late twenties.

“So, thank you,” he said sincerely and showed off his dazzling smile. “But it’s not necessary, since you didn’t say anything wrong.”

But what he said didn’t make me feel any better. It actually made me feel worse. Someone was cutting onions, because my eyes burned.

I blinked rapidly and cleared my throat. “Um…do you have a name, or do I keep calling you Genie?”

“You can call me Christopher.”

“Christopher.” The corners of my lips slowly lifted as I tried out his name on my tongue. His eyes twinkled at the sound, so I said it again.

He chuckled and my heart skipped. “It’s not an uncommon name,” he said.

True, but I’ve always liked the name and I preferred the long version instead of the shortened version, Chris.

“Maybe at one time, but I don’t personally know anyone with this name, besides a few celebrities.”

“You must not know a lot of people, then,” he teased.

“You’re right. I don’t.” I made a face. I was a guarded person and only kept a limited number of people I could trust around me. “What about you? How did you get into the business of granting wishes?” I asked playfully, since the vibe felt light.

His countenance suddenly turned serious. “I didn’t. I was cursed.”